Iron
FE
Description
"Iron" test measures the amount of iron circulating in your blood to assess for deficiency or overload. Doctors use it to evaluate symptoms like fatigue, weakness, or pale skin and to help diagnose conditions such as anemia or hemochromatosis. Low levels indicate iron deficiency, while high levels suggest excess storage or metabolic dysfunction. Based on results, your doctor may recommend dietary changes, supplements, or further testing. Regular monitoring supports healthy red blood cell production and long-term metabolic balance.
Category
Trace Minerals, Minerals
Procedure
Invasive
Sample Type
Blood – Serum
Units
Micrograms Per Deciliter | Micromoles Per Liter
Procedure Category
Blood Draw
Test Group
Iron Group, Mineral Group, Gastrointestinal System Group, Mineral Balance Group, Basic Nutrient Deficiency Group, Complete Nutrient Deficiency Group
Test Group Description
Basic Nutrient Deficiency Group: This group comprises essential tests aimed at assessing key nutrient levels vital for overall health and well-being. Complete Nutrient Deficiency Group: This comprehensive group includes an expanded panel of tests covering a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. Gastrointestinal Health Group: This group assesses different facets of gastrointestinal function and health, providing insights into digestive well-being and related conditions. Iron Group: Its focus lies on evaluating iron levels and related parameters, offering insights into iron metabolism and associated health conditions. Mineral Balance Group: This set focuses on assessing parameters crucial for mineral balance and providing insights into mineral metabolism and associated health considerations. Mineral Group: By assessing various parameters related to mineral levels and balance, it provides insights into overall mineral status and associated health considerations.
Optimal Range
For All Individuals:
Conventional Unit: 40.0–135.0 µg/dL
SI Unit: 7.2–24.2 µmol/L
Normal Range
For Men:
Conventional Unit: 38.0–169.0 µg/dL
SI Unit: 6.8–30.3 µmol/L
For Women:
Conventional Unit: 27.0–159.0 µg/dL
SI Unit: 4.8–28.5 µmol/L
Results That Differ From The Norm (Direct and Indirect Causes)
Increased levels may indicate:
Alcoholic liver disease (Liver damage due to excessive alcohol consumption)
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (Immune system mistakenly attacks red blood cells)
Chronic hepatitis C (Long-term viral infection causing liver inflammation)
Chronic kidney disease
Congenital dyserythropoietic anemia (Inherited disorder affecting red ...
Key Reasons For Testing
Detecting Iron Deficiency Anemia: Identifies anemia for timely treatment, alleviating symptoms, and preventing complications.
Monitoring Iron Status: Ensures optimal levels for oxygen transport and energy metabolism, allowing proactive intervention for deficiencies.
Identifying Iron Overload Disorders: Diagnoses and manages conditions like hemochromatosis to prevent organ damage and systemic complications.
Guiding Iron Supplementation: Tailors supplementation plans to maintain safe and effective iron levels.
Health Status Conditions It May Be Used To Assess
Currently, this test is not directly associated with any conditions listed on the Health Status page. However, it may be included as part of a broader set of tests linked to specific health conditions.
Some Prominent Medical Labs That May Offer This Test
Please note that this particular test has not been associated with any of the listed prominent medical labs. We recommend enquiring with your private physician or nearest hospital to determine where this specific test can be performed.
References
Important Note
Any medical procedure yielding results outside the norm may be directly or indirectly linked to the conditions outlined on this page. Various factors, including genetics, medication and supplement usage, recent illnesses, pregnancy, pre-test eating, smoking, and stress, can impact the test's outcome. Additionally, factors like false positives, false negatives, inaccurate analyses, and others can influence results.
Reference ranges, which help healthcare professionals interpret medical tests, may vary depending on age, gender, and other factors. They may also differ between laboratories due to variations in instruments and methods used. Optimal ranges are designed for preventive purposes, aiming to identify trends and potential risks early, while normal ranges reflect conventional laboratory values indicating no current disease or pathology. Your healthcare practitioner may have specific reasons for testing that deviate from the usual or may interpret results differently based on individual circumstances. Proper interpretation typically involves considering clinical findings and other diagnostic tests. Hence, it is crucial to provide your healthcare professionals with a comprehensive medical history, consult with them for result interpretation, and follow their guidance for potential re-testing or additional diagnostics.
Disclaimer
This content is provided solely for informative and educational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. Regarding the interpretation of their medical test results and/or specific health questions, it is recommended that all readers and viewers consult their physicians or other qualified health professionals. The publisher is not responsible for any adverse health effects that may result from reading or following the information in this educational content. Before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program, all viewers, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physician or health care practitioner.
Please note that while prominent lab names are included in this content, we cannot guarantee that these labs offer all the tests mentioned. For confirmation, individuals should contact the labs directly or consult their medical practitioners. The information provided reflects general knowledge at the time of publication and may not include recent updates or emerging research. Readers should verify details with qualified professionals to ensure the most up-to-date and accurate guidance.
[1] Yilmaz B, Li H. Gut microbiota and iron: the crucial actors in health and disease. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2018;11(4):98.
[2] Brittenham GM. Disorders of iron homeostasis: iron deficiency and overload. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al., eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018,36.
[3] Andrews NC. Forging a field: the golden age of iron biology. Blood. 2008;112(2):219-230.
[4] Camaschella C. Iron-deficiency anemia. N Engl J Med. 2015;372(19):1832-1843.
[5] McLean E, Cogswell M, Egli I, Wojdyla D, de Benoist B. Worldwide prevalence of anemia, WHO Vitamin and Mineral Nutrition Information System, 1993-2005. Public Health Nutr. 2009;12(4):444-454.
[6] Oustamanolakis P, Koutroubakis IE, Messaritakis I, et al. Plasma ferritin and iron status of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2011;23(3):262-267.
[7] Kell DB, Pretorius E. Serum ferritin is an important inflammatory disease marker, as it is mainly a leakage product from damaged cells. Metallomics. 2014;6(4):748-773.
[8] Domellöf M, Dewey KG, Lönnerdal B, Cohen RJ, Rivera LL. The diagnostic criteria for iron deficiency in infants should be reevaluated. J Nutr. 2002;132(12):3680-3686.
[9] Ganz T, Nemeth E. Iron balance and the role of hepcidin in chronic kidney disease. Semin Nephrol. 2016;36(2):87-93.
[10] Cook JD, Flowers CH, Skikne BS. The quantitative assessment of body iron. Blood. 2003;101(9):3359-3363.
[11] Lieu PT, Heiskala M, Peterson PA, Yang Y. The roles of iron in health and disease. Mol Aspects Med. 2001;22(1-2):1-87.
[12] Guralnik JM, Eisenstaedt RS, Ferrucci L, Klein HG, Woodman RC. Prevalence of anemia in persons 65 years and older in the United States: evidence for a high rate of unexplained anemia. Blood. 2004;104(8):2263-2268.
[13] McClung JP, Murray-Kolb LE. Iron nutrition and premenopausal women: effects of poor iron status on physical and neuropsychological performance. Annu Rev Nutr. 2013;33:271-288.
[14] Powers JM, Buchanan GR. Diagnosis and management of iron deficiency anemia. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2019;33(3):393-408.
[15] Weiss G, Goodnough LT. Anemia of chronic disease. N Engl J Med. 2005;352(10):1011-1023.